News blog + International criminal justice | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog+law/international-criminal-justice
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The Khmer Rouge and Cambodian genocide: how the Guardian covered ithttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/feb/16/cambodia-khmer-rouge
Former Khmer Rouge senior figures Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/07/khmer-rouge-leaders-guilty-of-crimes-against-humanity-and-jailed-for-life">have been found guilty of crimes against humanity</a> and given life imprisonment by a court in Cambodia. Follow how the Guardian covered the brutal regime of the Khmer Rouge as evidence of the killing fields first emerged <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/feb/16/cambodia-khmer-rouge">Continue reading...</a>CambodiaWorld newsPol PotInternational criminal justiceExtraordinary chambers in the courts of CambodiaKhmer RougeAsia PacificThu, 07 Aug 2014 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/feb/16/cambodia-khmer-rougeCorbisImages of genocide victims are displayed on the walls of the Tuol Sleng Musuem of Genocidal Crime, formerly the Khmer Rouge torture centre run by Kaing Guek Eav. Photograph: CorbisMatthew Weaver2014-08-07T07:00:00ZLibya, Tunisia and Middle East unrest - Friday 28 October 2011http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/oct/28/libya-tunisia-middle-east-unrest
• <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/oct/28/libya-tunisia-middle-east-unrest#block-11">Saif al-Islam in "indirect talks" with ICC</a><br />• <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/oct/28/libya-tunisia-middle-east-unrest#block-6">Violence in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, over election results</a><br />• <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/oct/28/libya-tunisia-middle-east-unrest#block-10">Syrian opposition holding protests for no-fly zone</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/oct/28/libya-tunisia-middle-east-unrest#block-26#block-26">Read the latest summary</a><p><span class="timestamp">10.21am:</span> Welcome to Middle East Live. Unrest has returned to Sidi Bouzid, the cradle of the Tunisian uprising, and the Arab Spring itself, in response to the election results.</p><p>&quot;They have set fire to a large part of the mayor's office, and the police are nowhere to be seen,&quot; local resident Mehdi Horcheni told Reuters by telephone from the town. <br />He said elsewhere in the town, protesters set fire to an Ennahda campaign office and a training centre , while police used tear gas in a failed attempt to disperse the crowd.<br />Another witness, Hafed Abdulli, said the crowd was burning tyres in the streets. &quot;People are protesting against the cancellation of the Popular List,&quot; he said.</p><p><br />The support for the insurgents comes amid a broader Turkish campaign to undermine Mr. Assad's government. Turkey is expected to impose sanctions soon on Syria, and it has deepened its support for an umbrella political opposition group known as the Syrian National Council, which announced its formation in Istanbul. But its harboring of leaders in the Free Syrian Army, a militia composed of defectors from the Syrian armed forces, may be its most striking challenge so far to Damascus.</p><p>On Wednesday, the group, living in a heavily guarded refugee camp in Turkey, claimed responsibility for killing nine Syrian soldiers, including one uniformed officer, in an attack in restive central Syria ...</p><p><br />Our doors and hearts are open to all. We are the supporters of freedom and tolerance.</p><p>Troops fired into the air on Friday to disperse a crowd trying to attack government offices in the town where the &quot;Arab Spring&quot; uprising began ...</p><p>Two witnesses in Sidi Bouzid told Reuters that a large crowd was trying to attack the local government headquarters in the town early on Friday.</p><p>AJA via activists: 11 killed by security shooting 9 in #Hama &amp; 2 in #Homs #NFZ4Syria</p><p>Through intermediaries, we have informal contact with Saif. The office of the prosecutor has made it clear that if he surrenders to the ICC, he has the right to be heard in court, he is innocent until proven guilty. The judges will decide.</p><p>Additionally, we have learnt through informal channels that there is a group of mercenaries who are offering to move Saif to an African (country) not party to the Rome Statute of the ICC. The office of the prosecutor is also exploring the possibility to intercept any plane<br />within the air space of a state party in order to make an arrest.</p><p>They are informal conversations. I think they are exploring the possibility to appear before the court. We offer to them, of course we can help you to surrender to the court, and if he considers himself innocent he has the right to present this argument before the judges.</p><p>I cannot give you details, it's informal there's another one [warrant] pending he knows that, he had to make a decision, if he considers himself innocent he will be respected here by the court ...</p><p>We don't make deals we have another warrant pending, so for us it is a matter of him surrendering to the court with a right to prove his innocence and after that the right to decide where to go or what happens with him. We believe we have a strong case we believe he should be convicted. So the conversation is about how to appear before the judges and how we present the evidence but we cannot offer any deal ...<br /> <br />It's not clear where he is, because if he's in Libya he can surrender to the government in Libya, if he's in a different country he can surrender to the countries who are a member of the treaty easily, so Niger, Tunisia are members of the treaty ...<br /> <br />The logistics will be solved, it is a matter of his decision. If he wants to present before the court, and present why he is innocent he can do it.</p><p>&quot;God, Syria, We want a no-fly zone over it,&quot; shouted protesters in the Bab Tadmur neighborhood of Homs.</p><p>&quot;A no-fly zone is a legitimate demand for Homs,&quot; read banners carried by protesters in the Khalidya neighborhood.</p><p>They've burnt everything and have all gone home, nothing else to do</p><p>The Protest in #SidiBouzid just ended - people left on their own #Tunelec #Tnelec #Tunisia</p><p>When we consider which laws have been de facto annulled and changed for religious ones, we see that these are laws that directly affect the rights of women in marriage, divorce, guardianship, polygamy, inheritance, etc. i.e. family codes or laws of personal status. Women are directly targeted by this change in laws and will lose many acquired rights in the process.</p><p>We denounce the loose use of the term 'sharia' to give a false religious legitimacy to patriarchal interpretations of religion, as well as to patriarchal traditions.</p><p><br />An-Nahda reaffirms its commitment to the women of Tunisia, to strengthen their role in political decision-making, in order to avoid any going back on their social gains.</p><p>Essam Ali Atta, a civilian serving a two-year jail term in Cairo's high-security Tora prison following his conviction in a military tribunal earlier this year for an apparently &quot;common crime&quot;, was reportedly attacked by prison guards after trying to smuggle a mobile phone sim card into his cell.</p><p><br />The leader of Arrida Ach-Chaabia, Mohamed Hechim Hamdi, a wealthy London-based businessman, has a sketchy past. Once a member of An-Nahda, he had a fallout with its leadership and then flirted with the regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. He ran a populist campaign in the poor and forgotten periphery of Tunisia, promising handouts and subsidies without explaining how he would pay for them. Worse, he used his London-based TV station for campaigning outside the rules set by the electoral commission that constrained other Tunisian parties. Many Tunisians suspect him of having made arrangements with remnants of Ben Ali's party. His success demonstrates the depth of economic and social discontent outside the urban areas. It also shows how important outreach to voters was.</p><p>How Hamdi decides to proceed will matter a lot. He has called on Arrida candidates not to take their seats in the new assembly. While he does not command enough seats to block the process of constitution-drafting, he can cast doubts over the legitimacy of the exercise and stir popular anger. Many of those who voted for him didn't necessarily do it out of love or blind support. But if they feel that their vote has been annulled by condescending elites in Tunis, there is a risk that they will embrace Hamdi as a populist hero who can mount a significant challenge to the system and the transition ...</p><p><br />Activist Omar al-Jablawi told Al-Jazeera television that the man, identified as Abu Fadi, burned himself in the city of Jableh to prevent the police from forcing him into revealing the location of his activist son Fadi.</p><p>&quot;Abu Fadi was threatened… and so was his other son Abdel Hadi… but [none] gave the security forces the information they wanted,&quot; Jablawi said.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/oct/28/libya-tunisia-middle-east-unrest">Continue reading...</a>Middle East and North AfricaArab and Middle East unrestLibyaTunisiaMuammar GaddafiSaif al-Islam GaddafiSyriaBashar al-AssadYemenTunisian elections 2011EgyptWorld newsInternational criminal courtInternational criminal justiceFri, 28 Oct 2011 16:27:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/oct/28/libya-tunisia-middle-east-unrestAFPSaif al-Islam Gaddafi Photograph: AFPZoubeir Souissi/ReutersA Tunisian woman walks past posters of the election campaign in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia. Photograph: Zoubeir Souissi/ReutersHaroon Siddique2011-10-28T16:27:00ZLibya: the fall of Tripoli - Wednesday 24 August 2011http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/aug/24/libya-rebels-take-gaddafi-compound-live-updates
• Fighting continues, but Tripoli mostly in rebel hands<br />• Reward and amnesty offered to find Gaddafi<br />• Journalists and dignitaries freed from Rixos hotel<br />• US to submit UN resolution to unfreeze money for NTC<br />• Rebels advance on Sirte<br /><br />• <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/aug/24/libya-rebels-take-gaddafi-compound-live-updates#block-48"> Read the latest summary</a><p><span class="timestamp">8.41am:</span> Welcome to Middle East Live. Events continue to move at a breathtaking pace in Libya. You can follow how <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/aug/23/libya-battle-for-tripoli-live-blog">another momentous 14 hours unfolded on our overnight live blog</a>. Here's a summary of the main developments:</p><p><a href="http://twitter.com/mchancecnn/statuses/106239419442401280">Woke early, gunman in #rixos lobby gone. Still forces on perimeter.</a></p><p>We want to give this money back to the TNC [NTC] for its use, first and foremost to meet humanitarian needs and to help it establish a secure, stable government and to move on to the next step in its own road map. And we hope this process will be complete in the coming days. </p><p>Fighting intensified Tuesday and the smell of gunpowder hangs in the thick heat, along with sweat and a little fear. When the shooting is most intense, we take refuge in the hotel's basement conference rooms.</p><p>Two satellite telephones set up on a balcony were destroyed by gunfire, so we've stopped transmitting our material. We wait and worry the gunmen could turn hostile at any moment.</p><p>The visitors were fighters who had risked their lives to take Bab al-Aziziya or neighbours who wanted to venture down notorious halls. Some people took out their anger on the famous totems of the colonel's bizarre dictatorship, or its vulgar trappings. Several men spent 10 minutes smashing a gold-plated tea trolley. A group around them cheered.</p><p>The looters filed in even as sporadic fighting persisted. In a measure of the current mood in Tripoli, most people were looking for weapons. The golden pistols a man showed to reporters seemed like novelty items. Many walked out of the compound with cattle prods ...</p><p>They set fire to a great domed pavilion. They looted the homes of the regime's elite, stripping them of silver and chine and other valuables and tearing down portraits of their deposed leader. &quot;House to house! Room to room!&quot; chanted some men, calling for a search of the complex of bunkers and tunnels, in a mocking echo of Colonel Gaddafi's words from six months ago when he threatened to crush early stirrings of the revolt.</p><p>They rampaged through barracks whose occupants had melted away as mysteriously as their leader. They broke into armouries and reinforced concrete bunkers seemingly untouched by Nato's airstrikes, and carted away great crates of AK47s and other rifles, of rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers and Berettas, of bandoliers and magazines filled with ammunition. </p><p>Just met a man who studied in Northampton in Bab al-Aziziya compound. <a href="http://twitter.com/lindseyhilsum/statuses/106271833455726592">Brother killed yesterday, but says it was worth the sacrifice. </a>#Tripoli</p><p>In the immediate post-conflict period there will be an urgent need to establish a process to collect weapons, as large sections of the civilian population will be left with arms. It is possible that financial incentives may be necessary for this process.</p><p>No western infantry or armoured units should be stationed in the country. Their presence would risk inflaming the passions of the Muslim fundamentalists and of the remaining part of the population that is soft on Gaddafi. The presence of western troops in Muslim lands creates terrorism, which then produces calls in the west for more Western troops, which creates more terrorism. It is the dialectic of a horror movie.</p><p>At a minimum, if Libya finds itself welcoming teams of international aid workers, engineers or advisers on reconstruction, and if the post-Gaddafi situation looks &quot;semi-permissive&quot; (ie dangerous but not lethal), such foreigners will need protecting. If, in a worst-case scenario, fighters from Benghazi start taking revenge on tribes that were previously loyal to Colonel Gaddafi, then the question of peacekeepers arises. Western countries would like regional partners to &quot;step up to the plate&quot;. That means troops from Arab or African countries, in plain English.</p><p>If the rebels have the power and spirit and opportunity to unite the country on a new democratic basis, then of course we will consider establishing relations with them ... For now, the situation hasn't changed. Basically, there are two governing powers in the country, and, despite the rebels' success in Tripoli, Gaddafi and his loyalists retain influence and military potential.</p><p>I'm standing in the courtyard of the office of Libya's prime minister, or ex-prime minister as we have to call him, Dr Al Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi, who has scarpered off to Tunisia. I have just been sifting through the prime minister's correspondence. There was an attache case there with various petitions. There was a report about investment in Libya written by Ernst and Young. &quot;Quality in everything we do&quot; was the slogan of the accountancy firm. I found a wedding invitation. I don't know whether he got to the wedding or not. There is all the diplomatic legacy of a defunct regime which no longer exists.</p><p>The other place I went to this morning was Tripoli's Italian-built central hospital where they have treating the dead and the wounded and it is a pretty ghastly scene. On the left as you come in there is a room full of dead fighters, who have been shot - terrible smell. The doctors weren't sure how many they brought in yesterday but it is dozens ... The hospital is lacking all sorts of medical supplies.</p><p>He said although the fighting isn't on the scale of yesterday there are still groups of Gaddafi loyalists who are holed up ... close to Gaddafi's compound and they are sniping and returning fire. He said today's task was to flush them out. Tripoli feels pretty empty. You hear the odd mortar and artillery fire, but nothing on the scale of yesterday where it was kind of bonkers ...</p><p>The big question which nobody has been able to answer is: where is Gaddafi? Is he hiding underground somewhere in Tripoli? Has he also run off like his prime minister? It is the big mystery and nobody seems to know.</p><p>Clashes outside the hotel. #Rixos4 hunkered down. #Libya</p><p>The hotel is surrounded by Gaddafi loyalists who are preventing the journalists from leaving. They are held hostage on the hotel's first floor, the prisoners of a dying regime that refuses to lay down its arms. There are frequent cuts in the power and water supply. Their situation is very worrying.</p><p>Reporters Without Borders urges all the parties involved to ensure the safety of journalists, both Libyan and foreign, who are covering developments in Libya. The National Transitional Council, which has been recognized by many countries as Libya's provisional government, must do everything in its power to allow journalists to cover the fighting freely and safely.</p><p>We are seeing the final stages of the last stand of the remnants of pro-Gaddafi forces … We are going to see the birth of a new Libya. We, Britain, the EU, need to work with these very brave people ... to create a new country and create new institutions from scratch … I don't think it's going to be smooth … We need to help them with this very important project to rebuild Libya.</p><p>We don't know where Gaddafi is … It will only be a matter of time before he is located.</p><p>Misrata Military Council reported only sporadic resistance as rebel units pushed down the main coastal highway that runs east, with spearheads now at the town of Al-Washka. One commander told the Guardian that they hoped to effect a link-up south of the city with rebels advancing from the other direction, after reports that opposition forces have overrun the strategic oil towns of Brega and Ras Lanuf.</p><p>&quot;We can unite with the other forces [from the eastern front] said Anwar Sarwan, a Misrata rebel logistics officer. &quot;We are making good progress.&quot;</p><p>Coming the other way are prisoners: the Guardian saw a pick-up truck entering Misrata last night with what appeared to be black African mercenaries in uniforms huddled together on the flatbed of the truck receiving occasional kicks from their guards.</p><p>There is huge resentment in this rebel city about the appearance of mercenaries from Chad who have been captured in recent weeks, though it is unclear whether it is these forces, rather than Libyan government soldiers, who are responsible for the atrocities and destruction inflicted on this city.</p><p>It's game over for Mr Gaddafi. Probably in a few days, everything will be over, hopefully. I'm very happy.</p><p>We can say what we want. No one can stop us! We want, like, you know, freedom to be happy, to say whatever we want.</p><p>&quot;We are deeply concerned about the situation and we are working with international organisations and the NTC and the Free Libya forces to identify the best way to free the people in the Rixos,&quot; said a spokesman for the Foreign Office.</p><p><a href="goo.gl/DPlt6">Key Hits 23 August:</a></p><p>In the vicinity of <strong>Tripoli</strong>: 2 Armoured Fighting Vehicles, 2 Military Heavy Equipment Truck, 3 Surface to Air Missile System, 1 Radar. </p><p>FLASH: Libyan rebels offer amnesty for anyone who captures or kills Gaddafi - rebel council chairman</p><p>There has been much speculation that a network of tunnels could have allowed the former dictator and his loyalists to escape to the heavily guarded hotel.</p><p>Libya's rebel council said today it was offering an amnesty to any of Muammar Gaddafi's entourage who kill or capture him.</p><p>Council chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil also said a Benghazi businessman, whom he did not identify, had offered a reward of two million Libyan dinars ($1.3m or &pound;790,000) for Gaddafi's capture.</p><p>The National Transitional Council announces that anyone of his inner circle who kills Gaddafi or captures him, society will guarantee amnesty or pardon for any crimes that this person has committed.</p><p>A foreign journalist held inside Rixos hotel: The Red Cross will start evacuating journalists #alarabiya #Qaddafi #Tripoli #Libya</p><p>CNN and other journos team have left #rixos hotel</p><p>415p local time: This feels like the end game in this dramatic and unpleasant situation. #rixos</p><p>439pm local time: Crammed with other journos in the car. Reuters, other cameramen, FOX, and AP #rixos</p><p>Written in carpark at #Rixos trying to evacuate #BBC team. Their guard pointed gun at me when got out of car said 'get back #Libya #Tripoli</p><p>It is known that the Qataris were first into Colonel Gaddafi's private residence in the complex, to look for computers and sensitive documents. The Gulf states have offered their forces because, in the words of one of their officers, &quot;this is an Arab matter and it is right that Arab allies should come to the aid of the Libyans.&quot;</p><p>The Arab units and the insurgents have been receiving training and guidance from British, French and American military advisers, most with a special forces background.</p><p>Libya has not been adequately rewarded for its decision to give up WMD [weapons of mass destruction] and needed some sort of security assurance from the United States. He emphasised the need for Libya to purchase US non-lethal equipment in order to enhance its defence posture. Muatassim requested the &quot;highest level of help possible&quot; to obtain military supplies, including mobile hospitals and uniforms.</p><p>Senator McCain assured Muatassim that the United States wanted to provide Libya with the equipment it needs for its ... security. He stated that he understood Libya's requests regarding the rehabilitation of its eight C130s [Lockheed transport aircraft] and pledged to see what he could do to move things forward in Congress ... He described the bilateral military relationship as strong and pointed to Libyan officer training at US Command, Staff, and War colleges as some of the best programmes for Libyan military participation.</p><p>Flag retailers in the UK have seen a spike in sales since rebels adopted the traditional flag in their fight against the rule of Muammar Gaddafi.</p><p>Opposition forces were converging on the town from two directions: Spearheads from Misrata were said by sources to be approaching the city outskirts against minimum resistance from the West. Meanwhile opposition forces from the east were advancing after capturing the key oil ports of Brega and Ras Lanuf.<br /> <br />&quot;We can unite with the other forces [from the eastern front],&quot; said Anwar Sarwan, a Misrata rebel logistics officer. &quot;We are making good progress.&quot;</p><p>The rebels of Misrata are meanwhile pushing columns of men, artillery and ammunition up the road to Tripoli, with more than 2,000 fighters now taking control of eastern parts of the Libyan capital.</p><p>It was as if Libya's toppled government had just popped out for lunch. Someone had left their briefcase behind on the veneered oval table. At its head a green sign in Arabic proclaimed: &quot;Dr Al-Baghdadi Ali Al-Mahmoudi, prime minister of Libya.&quot; Next to the now ghostly chair were places for the PM's Cabinet colleagues: finance, education, the environment and fisheries. In a grand adjacent waiting room the air-conditioning softly hummed.</p><p>The prime ministerial office in Tripoli's pleasant diplomatic quarter was today, unsurprisingly, abandoned. Muammar Gaddafi's ministers had fled. The rebels secured the building on Tuesday; portraits of Libya's vanished dictator still hung on some walls. The Cabinet's left-behind papers told their own story – petitions, a wedding invite, and a Libya investment report by Ernst and Young (&quot;Quality in Everything We Do&quot;). It wasn't clear which minister had been perusing it.</p><p>The once-attractive art deco building was today a spectacularly gutted ruin. Fire had completely razed the ground floor; debris covered the sweeping marble staircase. All that was left of Her Majesty's billiard table was a charred frame. Pieces of Minton bone china and the bottom of a Whittard teapot lay next to a ravaged dishwasher.</p><p>We basically went out of a fire door at the back, ran across the open ground, hunkered down by a wall, slipped out having pushed the back gate open and thumbed down a lift at the side of the road. The man who stopped and picked us up - I have to praise him for his bravery and humanity - he took us 100m down the road but was telling us in Arabic it really wasn't safe.</p><p>To prove his point, by the side of the road there was a car that had obviously been fired upon and at the side of the car, I'm sorry to say, there was a body of a man who had been shot by, I assume, the army.</p><p>In this city of gunslingers, a clear hierarchy has quickly emerged. Social standing matters here, so the men who entered the capital first – the rebels of Zintan and the Berbers of the Nafusa mountains – see themselves as lords of the city they conquered. Those who rode in to reinforce them from Misrata to the east are not far behind in status.</p><p>Both these groups tend to congregate beneath underpasses, or in grounds of government buildings that are now considered safe. They are clearly war-weary and have the run of the city.</p><p>The NTC's priority is to secure a speedy release of funds frozen abroad, which would help to strengthen its legitimacy in the eyes of ordinary Libyans. The total funds potentially available to the new government could be more than $100bn (&pound;61bn) – more than the country's GDP and a vast reserve that would give the NTC an enormous advantage over other new regimes swept in by the Arab spring.</p><p>In the longer term, the country can count on its oil reserves – the largest on the African continent.</p><p>Mustafa Abdel Jalil, the chairman of the National Transitional Council (NTC), said anyone in the regime's &quot;inner circle&quot; who obliged would be given an &quot;amnesty or pardon for any crime he has committed&quot;. A businessman in the eastern city of Benghazi, he added, had put up 2m Libyan dinars (&pound;1m) for anyone who managed to capture Gaddafi.</p><p>The announcement marked a change in tone from Jalil, who on Monday called on Libyans to &quot;not take justice into their own hands&quot; and said he hoped the dictator would be captured alive. Guma El-Gamaty, the UK co-ordinator of the NTC, said he hoped the reward would prove a &quot;huge incentive&quot; to those close to Gaddafi, such as his bodyguards and aides, to switch sides.</p><p>The group were finally released after a TV producer and cameraman who spoke Arabic appealed to their guards' sense of humanity and pleaded to be allowed out to see their families, according to one captive.</p><p>After the captives crammed into cars, provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Chinese embassy, and fled, they told how they had begun to fear they would be executed.</p><p>Home-made rebel checkpoints have sprung up across Tripoli, making driving in the city a serpentine experience. People had created traffic filters using boulders, concrete blocks and even rubbish bins – one with a portrait of Gaddafi inventively stuck to it. Gunfire could still be heard in the capital but on a much lower scale than before. A couple of shops had reopened; a pair of women crossed the street carrying armfuls of fresh baguettes.</p><p>But while most rebels were friendly, some were not. In a warren of alleys near Gaddafi's compound one excited group was demanding the IDs of foreign journalists who have now poured into Libya. The rebels said they were looking for informers and traitors spying for Gaddafi's regime. &quot;How do we know you are not spies?&quot; one asked. Old habits of suspicion will take time to unlearn.</p><p>The <a href="http://youtu.be/cBY-0n4esNY">Zenga Zenga song</a>, as it has been dubbed, is the brainchild of Noy Alooshe, a 32-year-old satirist, musician and journalist from Tel Aviv.</p><p>In February, Alooshe was watching a clip of Gaddafi vowing to crush the Libyan protesters when he found himself entranced by the colonel's cadences, idiosyncratic attire and enthusiastic fist-pumping.</p><p>Most cynics overlook Libya's advantages. Foremost is the absence of a predatory military establishment overseeing the transition, as in Egypt. The regular army has dissolved and the regime's special brigades are far smaller than Iraq's foolishly disbanded army of 2003. Second, the TNC mercifully lacks a Hamid Karzai – a charismatic statesman whose ambition can all too easily congeal into venal oligarchy. Article 29 of the interim constitution even forbids TNC members from assuming ministerial or legislative office – a remarkable abdication of ambition.</p><p>Third, the location of oil in the interior limits the ability of either east or west to coerce the central government.</p><p>Apparently, 17 bodies were brought to the hospital. They all appear to have been executed by being shot at point blank range. The bodies are all clothed in civilian clothing and are all male between 15/16 and late middle age.</p><p>Apparently one of the relatives of the executed bodies identified the body and said he was arrested about 10 days ago for being a political activist in Tripoli. The bodies were found in Bab Al Azaziya (I am not sure if that is in the compound or in the general area).</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/aug/24/libya-rebels-take-gaddafi-compound-live-updates">Continue reading...</a>LibyaMuammar GaddafiArab and Middle East unrestMiddle East and North AfricaUS foreign policyNatoInternational criminal courtSyriaEgyptBashar al-AssadWorld newsInternational criminal justiceWed, 24 Aug 2011 07:42:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/aug/24/libya-rebels-take-gaddafi-compound-live-updatesZohra Bensemra/ReutersA Libyan holds the Kingdom of Libya flag as he celebrates with fellow Libyans at Green Square, renamed Martyrs' Square by rebels, in Tripoli yesterday. Photograph: Zohra Bensemra/ReutersLouafi Larbi/ReutersA Libyan rebel walks past flames at the Bab Al-Aziziya compound yesterday. Photograph: Louafi Larbi/ReutersSean Smith in Tripoli24/08/2011 Libya Tripoli. Rebel forces still fighting Gaddiffi's around his compound at Bab El Azayi Photograph: Sean Smith in TripoliDario Lopez-Mills/APJournalists trapped in the Rixos hotel in Tripoli yesterday. Photograph: Dario Lopez-Mills/APSean Smith for the Guardian24/08/2011 Libya Tripoli. Rebel forces still fighting Gaddiffi's around his compound at Bab El Azayi Photograph: Sean Smith for the GuardianSean Smith for the Guardian24/08/2011 Libya Tripoli.Rebal forces still fighting Gaddiffi's around is compund at Bab El Azayi rebal reinforcementsPhoto Sean Smith Photograph: Sean Smith for the GuardianMatthew Weaver, Paul Owen and David Batty2011-08-24T07:42:00ZLibya, Syria and Middle East unrest - Tuesday 28 June 2011http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/28/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest-live
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/27/muammar-gaddafi-arrest-warrant-hague">• Libya dismisses arrest warrants against Gaddafi</a><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/27/bashar-al-assad-syria-protest-dialogue">• Syria announces date for 'national dialogue' </a><br /><a href="http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Jun-28/Flotilla-activists-determined-to-defy-Israeli-ban-to-reach-Gaza.ashx?#axzz1QYLtj7ec">• New Gaza flotilla due to set sail in face of Israeli threats </a><p><span class="timestamp">8.22am:</span> Welcome to Middle East Live. Opposition groups in both Syria and Bahrain face the dilemma of whether to enter dialogue with respective repressive governments.</p><p>In <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/27/bashar-al-assad-syria-protest-dialogue">Syria the government announced that a &quot;national dialogue&quot; with opponents will start on 10 July</a>. Activists have dismissed the offer as bogus, but scores of independent intellectuals (not opposition members as stated earlier) met at a summit yesterday.</p><p>The Assad regime is undertaking a major PR campaign to whitewash its image, one that includes allowing access to international media outlets to &quot;certain&quot; areas of the country under &quot;certain&quot; restrictions, and working with certain hand-picked members of the internal opposition to create the impression of openness, and to allow Bashar Al-Assad to appear as a man trying to rise up to the challenges of reform. The hope is to fool those willing to be fooled both in Syria and across the world.</p><p>There has to be real dialogue that results in political reforms. We believe the dialogue was a step forward for the country but setting conditions before the process is not acceptable.</p><p>As soon as we got there, the officers told us not to shoot at the men carrying guns. They said they [the gunmen] were with us. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It had all been lies. </p><p>All they showed [on TV] were armed groups roaming the villages. I found out later that these groups were on our [the regime's] side – they were the Shabiha.</p><p>The court's personal targeting of Gaddafi will revive questions about the wisdom of the Anglo-French-US approach (distinct from that of Nato) of making his removal from power the key measure of success in Libya. It will also fuel claims that the ICC is only interested in pursuing African leaders, as in Sudan and Kenya, and that the US in particular (which is not a party to the ICC) is guilty of double standards.</p><p>Yasser al-Yamani, a leader of Saleh's ruling General People's Congress, told Al Arabiya television that Saleh's speech was expected to be aired by state television on Tuesday, but signalled the president was unlikely to offer to end his three decades of rule.</p><p>&quot;The president is the legal and constitutional president of Yemen according to elections,&quot; Yamani said.</p><p>Upon his return to Sana'a after his visit to President Saleh at a Saudi hospital, al-Eryani said in a statement to Saba that he was very happy because the President's health was good.</p><p>It's one thing for a foreign power to press the Greek government to delay our voyage with red tape. It is quite another thing for enemy agents to operate on Greek territory. It is high time for the international community to put their foot down and say: Enough!</p><p>On a daily basis, nearly 6,000 tons of food, fuel, materials and other supplies are transferred into the Gaza Strip. Never does the delivery of goods turn into a media frenzy. In contrast, previous convoys, instigating violent provocations with Israeli or Egyptian forces, rarely delivered substantial amounts of goods into the Gaza Strip.</p><p>Several papers report the military's denial that presidential elections will be delayed until December - rather than take place in September as scheduled - while independent daily Al-Shorouk's headline declares &quot;official confusion.</p><p>On the day that Bashar al-Assad's fellow despot, Colonel Gaddafi, is indicted by the International Criminal Court it is extraordinary that a government minister turns up in Damascus to meet with the man responsible for the deaths, disappearance, torture and repression of thousands of Syrians. Did Mr Newmark discuss his trip with William Hague? </p><p>Was it authorised by the Chief Whip? Who paid for the trip? How long was he in Syria? What did he say to Bashar al-Assad? It is without precedent that a minister on the government payroll goes off to meet a man now being accused of grave crimes against his people? </p><p>China hopes the international criminal court can prudently, justly and objectively carry out its duties, and ensure that its relevant work genuinely aids regional peace and stability.</p><p><br />The timing of this conference, as well as the circumstances under which it has been held, are all suspect...</p><p>The government only allowed the meeting to include those opponents with no previous affiliations or who did not belong to any political parties. As a result, only a handful of those attending would be recognised by the average Syrian... </p><p>The move seems to contradict Germany's hands-off position on the Libyan question, which was set in March when <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/18/libya-germany-un-security-council ">foreign minister Guido Westerwelle controversially abstained at the UN security council </a>vote on intervention, siding with Russia and China rather than other western powers. </p><p>We are aware that Brooks Newmark MP travelled to Syria and met President Assad. He did so in a personal capacity. Newmark informed us of the visit and we made clear the UK's position and the steps that we think the Syrian regime should take. It is important that we use all means to convey the message to President Assad that he must reform or step aside.</p><p>Everybody now, both the opposition and the government recognises that the country is at stake and there is no other way except to go forward.</p><p>In fact it will be very good for our country, for our people, this march towards democracy where political parties will compete and young men and women participate in political life. We look forward to a very different era of Syrian history.</p><p>Britain's department for international development is shortly to announce the findings of the international stabilisation response team, which has been looking at how the international community can help with security, infrastructure, oil exports and basic services such as education, water and health. </p><p><a href="http://twitter.com/Guma_el_gamaty/statuses/85690811492208640">Libya breaking news FF took Alqaa barrack 30km south Zintan</a> with 72 ammun. Depos strategic victory against G in west mountain lead 2 tripoli</p><p><br />In Brega: 1 Command and Control Node. <br />In the vicinity of Brega: 1 Tank. <br />In the vicinity of Ras Lanuf: 1 Tank. <br />In the vicinity of Zintan: 6 Armoured Personnel Carriers , 3 Tanks. <br />In vicinity of Zuwarah: 3 Fire Control Radars.<br />In Tripoli: 1 Command and Control Node, 1 Command and <br />Control Vehicle. </p><p>The first option is Gaddafi's innner circle. They can implement the arrest warrants. They have a choice: be part of the problem and risk being prosecuted or they can be part of the solution work together with other Libyans and stop the crimes.</p><p>&quot;The Saudi troops will be withdrawn starting on Monday because their situation is getting much calmer,&quot; said a Bahrain government source.</p><p>Another source confirmed the withdrawal and said not all the troops would be withdrawn at once. About 1,000 Saudi soldiers entered Bahrain to protect government facilities</p><p>Let us [Saudi Arabia] invade Bahrain and in turn we will vote for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which in March kickstarted Nato's intervention in Libya by authorising &quot;all necessary force&quot; to protect civilians. America needed Saudi support for the resolution.</p><p>President Barack Obama could thus present his war to his own voters not only as a humanitarian mission into which he had been half-dragged by his insistent European allies, but (more crucially) as having the blessing of all freedom-loving Arabs in the form of the dinosaur institution called the Arab League. </p><p><a href="http://twitter.com/WilliamJHague/statuses/85725177001943042"><br />Discussing #Syria &amp; #Libya this afternoon with my Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu</a>. UK and #Turkey working closely on both</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/28/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest-live">Continue reading...</a>Middle East and North AfricaArab and Middle East unrestSyriaBashar al-AssadLibyaNatoMuammar GaddafiBahrainInternational criminal courtGazaIsraelGaza flotillaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaWorld newsYemenInternational criminal justiceTue, 28 Jun 2011 08:03:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/28/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest-live/AFP/Getty ImagesEric Gaillard/Reuters/CorbisBashar al-Assad had said only 100 opposition figures would be picked to join the dialogue; now it may be open to all. Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters/CorbisEric Gaillard/Reuters/CorbisBashar al-Assad had said only 100 opposition figures would be picked to join the dialogue; now it may be open to all. Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters/CorbisMatthew Weaver2011-06-28T08:03:00ZLibya, Syria and Middle East unrest - Monday 27 June 2011http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/27/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest
• <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/27/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest?INTCMP=SRCH#block-14">ICC issues arrest warrant for Gaddafi and two aides</a><br />• <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/27/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest?INTCMP=SRCH#block-10">Syrian opposition conference being held in Tripoli</a><br />• <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/27/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest?INTCMP=SRCH#block-1">Libyan rebels advancing towards Tripoli </a><p><span class="timestamp">10.03am:</span> Welcome to Middle East Live. Here's a summary of the latest news from the region:</p><p><br />There is no crackdown. There's a crackdown from these military groups against the government and against civilians. The killing was initiated and is still going on by these extremist groups....They are extremist religious groups that are financed from outside Syria and groups that do not want to achieve reform in Syria.</p><p>Koussa has been living for several weeks in a 17th-floor penthouse suite at the Four Seasons Hotel in Doha, the capital of Qatar, under the protection of Qatari security services ...</p><p>At the weekend he refused to say when he would leave Qatar, or even if would be allowed to. He is constantly trailed by a team of Qatari &quot;minders&quot;, who were summoned to escort The Daily Telegraph away when it approached him for an interview.</p><p>Screaming and chanting his name, the 500 women and girls vowed their undying love for one man. Not a pop star or Hollywood actor, but Libya's Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.</p><p>Around 50 international journalists, invited and escorted by government minders, arrived to find them clapping, singing, ululating, punching the air and waving green flags in a tented hall set up with chandeliers and two colossal flatscreen TVs.</p><p>The thunderous late morning blasts on Monday could be felt at a hotel where foreign journalists stay in Tripoli. Smoke could be seen rising from the area near Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya complex, where Libyans hold daily rallies in support of the government. </p><p>Gaddafi is not believed to be staying in the compound. Nato jets were heard overhead minutes after the blasts as sirens from emergency vehicles blared in the streets.<br />It wasn't immediately clear what was hit or if there were civilian casualties.</p><p>The message should ring out very clearly to Colonel Gaddafi and his regime that, not only can we do it, not only do we have the military hardware to do it, but we have the political and moral resolve to continue to protect the population of Libya as long as we are asked do so under the authority of the United Nations and as long as Colonel Gaddafi is waging war on his own people.</p><p>We have made it very clear that the way in which we are carrying out this mission is sustainable along with our allies, and I think that it is very important that, when you are in a conflict, you do not raise ideas in the minds of your opponents that we may not be willing to carry this through. We are willing to carry it through, we are able to carry it through and we will do so as long as required.</p><p>All through the past four decades, the regime refused to introduce any serious political reform. But meanwhile Syria witnessed great demographic, economic and social transformation. The population became larger and younger; today, more than half of all Syrians are not yet 20 years old. Enormous rural migration to the cities fuelled a population explosion at the outskirts of Damascus and Aleppo. With unemployment widespread, wealth became concentrated more tightly in the hands of a small class of regime members and their cronies.</p><p>Many Western diplomats and commentators expressed doubts that the Syrian people might one day rise up to demand their rights and freedoms. But those sceptics consistently understated the depth of resistance and dissent. It was no surprise that at the moment of truth, Syrians opened their hearts and minds to the winds of the Arab Spring — winds that blew down the wall that had stood between the Arabs and democracy, and had imposed false choices between stability and chaos or dictatorship and Islamic extremism. </p><p>The mere fact that on open conference can take place in Damascus, the Syrian capital, in public, not in secret, is a major step forward. This means that the Syrian regime has accepted that there are opposition groups in Syria and they should be allowed to meet and discuss issues of political reform. They are meeting without the regime being present and in public.</p><p>Talking to conference organisers it's absolutely clear there can't be any national dialogue unless the killing and acts of violence stop.</p><p><br />It's not a finding of guilt on the part of any of the three individuals. It concerns the issue of whether the requirements for the issue of warrants of arrest have been made in accordance with article 58 of the statute.</p><p><br />We believe the ICC has not legitimacy whatsoever. All its activities are around our African<br />leaders. They have never even considered investigating the killing of many civilians in Iraq, the killing of many civilians in Afghanistan, the killing of many civilians in Libya. The ICC needs to review its structure and philosophy.</p><p>Today, 27 June 2011, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued three warrants of arrest respectively for Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar Gaddafi, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi for crimes against humanity (murder and persecution) allegedly committed across Libya from 15 February 2011 until at least 28 February 2011, through the state apparatus and security forces.</p><p>The chamber, composed of Judges Sanji Mmasenono Monageng (Presiding), Sylvia Steiner and Cuno Tarfusser, considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the three suspects committed the alleged crimes and that their arrests appear necessary in order to ensure their appearances before the court; to ensure that they do not continue to obstruct and endanger the court's investigations; and to prevent them from using their powers to continue the commission of crimes within the jurisdiction of the court.</p><p>The investigation launched by prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo follows a referral by the UN Security Council on the Libyan conflict on February 26. Resolution 1970 was supported by all members of the council, including Russia and China, which are unhappy with the Nato bombing campaign.</p><p>The ICC referral has been attacked by some for pursuing legal avenues at the expense of a possible political solution to the crisis. Critics argue that Gaddafi and his closest associates will have no incentive to relinquish power or go into voluntary exile if they know they are certain to end up in the dock in the Hague.</p><p>I welcome the ICC judges' decision to issue arrest warrants for Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Saif al Islam al Qadhafi and Abdullah al Senussi. These individuals are accused of crimes against humanity and should be held to account before judges in a criminal court. The UK will continue to strongly support the ICC and calls upon the Libyan government to co-operate fully with the ICC investigation.<br /> <br />The warrants further demonstrate why Gaddafi has lost all legitimacy and why he should go immediately. His forces continue to attack Libyans without mercy and this must stop.&quot;<br /> <br />Individuals throughout the regime should abandon Gaddafi. We welcome the courageous actions of those who have taken a stance against the regime and recognise the inspiring stories of those who have refused to act against their own people or commit atrocities.<br /> <br />People at all levels of seniority should think carefully about the consequences of what they do – whether they are ordering attacks on civilians or carrying them out; whether they are firing rockets into residential areas or intimidating ordinary Libyans who want a better future. Those involved must take full responsibility for their actions, and must be held to account. </p><p>Muammar Gaddafi already made clear he intended to stay until the bitter end before the ICC process was set in motion, and his son's February vow to 'live and die in Libya' speaks for itself. It beggars belief that a dictator who has gripped power for over 40 years would be frozen in place by this arrest warrant ...</p><p>As a judicial undertaking, the court's work is distinct from the military and diplomatic initiatives unfolding in Libya and it would be a mistake to conflate them. Justice, to be credible, must run its independent course.&quot;</p><p>A settlement should be welcomed, but it has to begin with the departure of Gaddafi and his inner circle from Libya.</p><p>The problem is that there can be no way forward with Gaddafi still in place – which is why South African president Jacob Zuma has already failed twice to end the conflict through a political settlement ...</p><p><br />I'm happy the fighting is close. It might put more pressure on to get rid of Gaddafi and his relatives. A lot of people in Tripoli agree with me. I can say 80%, maybe more ...<br />Nobody is happy. Everybody is afraid because the government side has weapons. There could be an uprising in Tripoli, but there are a lot of people in jail. A lot have been killed.</p><p>You can't imagine what's going to happen. Maybe it will be OK, maybe not. Who knows?<br />I think there are many people in Tripoli against Gaddafi, but I don't think there will be an uprising. It's too dangerous.</p><p>I care about this country. Me join this rebellion? There's no cause for it. I love Gaddafi because he created peace in Libya. Tripoli is very safe. No worries about Tripoli. Mark my words, remember my face. Tripoli is standing still, even if the whole world is against us. Benghazi has crumbled in a second, Misrata has crumbled in a second, but Tripoli never, because of the will of the people.</p><p>These rebels close to Tripoli, what do they want exactly, what are they planning to do? Are they aiming to persuade us by guns? Is that liberating the country? ...<br />Gaddafi is going to stay. There's no chance in hell he will leave the country. The rebels will be defeated for one reason: they have no cause. They are a bunch of thieves, like wolves who want to eat people alive and the economy of this country.</p><p>Oh then ran into Dennis Kucinich in another hotel. Told me he's on fact-finding mission. Met w Assad for 3 hrs yest. Wouldn't elaborate.</p><p>This decision once again highlights the increasing isolation of the Gaddafi regime. It reinforces the reason for Nato's mission to protect the Libyan people from Gaddafi's forces. Gaddafi and his henchmen need to realise that time is rapidly running out for them. Nato is more determined than ever to keep up the pressure until all attacks on civilians have ended, until all regime forces have returned to their bases and until there is unhindered access to humanitarian aid for all those who need it.</p><p>The Libyan people are welcoming the ICC ... arrest warrants for some of those that took part in this crisis that the Libyan people are in. This is evidence to prove that international justice is making clear the demands of the revolution must be met ...</p><p>The decision of the ICC today stops the legitimacy of all the claims by this regime calling on the international community to stop the protection of civilians ...</p><p>The dissidents' meeting began with the Syrian national anthem, followed by a minute's silence in honor of the hundreds of Syrians who have been killed in the suppression of protests.</p><p>&quot;We are meeting today ... to put forward a vision about how to end tyranny and ensure a peaceful and secure transition to the hoped-for state: the state of freedom, democracy and equality,&quot; Louay Hussein, a prominent writer and one of the organizers, said in an opening speech. The current regime should &quot;perish,&quot; he added.</p><p>Meeting US Congressman Dennis Kucinich and the accompanying delegation in the morning and holding another meeting with British Conservative Party MP Brooks Newmark, President al-Assad reviewed the recent events taking place in Syria and the advanced steps achieved in the comprehensive reform program.</p><p>For their part Kucinich and Newmark expressed keenness on Syria's security and stability as an essential pillar in the region. </p><p>Everybody is happy with this. It's the hot news. Many people are congratulating each other. As long as they are killing people, of course we want this. It's more than we were expecting. The problem now is how. The Libyan government will keep trying to hide him away and transfer him from one place to another.</p><p><br />Muammar Gaddafi is our leader and father. People in Libya don't care about this arrest<br />warrant. Nobody cares about the ICC. America doesn't care about it. If this so-called ICC wants to arrest someone, what about George Bush, who killed half the Iraqi people?</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/27/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest">Continue reading...</a>Arab and Middle East unrestMiddle East and North AfricaLibyaMuammar GaddafiSyriaBashar al-AssadMoroccoBahrainInternational criminal courtInternational criminal justiceMon, 27 Jun 2011 09:03:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/27/libya-syria-middle-east-unrestMahmud Turkia/AFP/Getty ImagesFemale Libyan supporters of Gaddai celebrate after graduation in weapons training and pose for foreign journalists in Tripoli, during a government guided tour. Photograph: Mahmud Turkia/AFP/Getty ImagesAhmed Jadallah/ReutersMuammar Gaddafi became the first sitting head of state to be referred to the international criminal court by unanimous vote of the UN security council. Photograph: Ahmed Jadallah/ReutersAhmed Jadallah/ReutersGaddafi became the first sitting head of state to be referred to the international criminal court by unanimous vote of the UN security council. Photograph: Ahmed Jadallah/ReutersHaroon Siddique2011-06-27T09:03:00ZSyria, Libya and Middle East unrest - Friday 24 June 2011http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/24/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live
• Libyan rebels say Gaddafi can stay in country, but not power<br />• <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/24/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live#block-25">Nato 'knows where Gaddafi is'</a><br />• Friday protests erupt across Syria – '12 dead'<br />• <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/24/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live#block-26">Turkey concerned about Syrian troop movements</a><br />• Jailed Iranian activists 'being systematically raped'<br />• UN attacks Bahrain for 'political persecution' of activists<br />• Vast anti-government demonstrations in Yemen<p><span class="timestamp">8.25am:</span> Welcome to Middle East Live. Another big day of protests is expected in <strong>Syria</strong> as diplomatic pressure builds on Damascus following an army raid close to the Turkish border.</p><p><a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=davutoglu-syria-fm-talk-about-troops-at-border-2011-06-23">The Turkish foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, has held talks with his Syrian counterpart after Syrian troops seized a </a> makeshift safe haven for people who fled the crackdown in Jisr al-Shughour.</p><p>We are very concerned by the reports that the Syrian military has surrounded and targeted the village of Khirbet al-Jouz, which is located roughly 500 meters from the Turkish border. If true, that aggressive action will only exacerbate the already unstable refugee situation in Syria. And we've seen increased refugee flows across the border into Turkey. Recent reports are that there are more than 10,500 Syrians already sheltered by the Turkish Red Crescent in camps on the border.</p><p>I have discussed this at length with the foreign minister of Turkey. President Obama has discussed it with the prime minister. We are closely monitoring the situation in Syria and in neighbouring countries, and it is further example of the lengths to which President Assad's regime will go to repress the people of Syria rather than actually working in a collaborative way to try to resolve the legitimate concerns of the Syrian people.</p><p>Our group here is informing the world of what is going on inside Syria. [The authorities] don't like it, so they want to either arrest or kill these people, so that there are no more people who can follow the news from inside Syria. It is just terror for everybody.</p><p>Jordan should be ahead of the game. It is one of the more intelligent, well-educated countries in the region. If the Jordanians play their cards right, they could become an inspiration.</p><p>Anyone contemplating early negotiations in Libya should ask themselves what would be the effect of a premature move to the negotiating table confirming Gaddafi in power? Answer: President Assad and his brother in Syria would feel even more confident about ignoring sanctions, and would continue to use force in totally unacceptable ways. Nato cannot deal with Damascus through a no-fly zone, but sanctions should be toughened.</p><p>Reporting live on #skynews from Damascus. Among first foreign journos allowed into #Syria since protests began 3 months ago.</p><p>According to the names given in the Official Journal, the Iranians were Major-General Qasem Soleimani and Brigadier Commander Mohammad Ali Jafari of the Revolutionary Gaurd, and the Guard's deputy commander for intelligence, Hossein Taeb.</p><p>Prison guards in Iran are giving condoms to criminals and encouraging them to systematically rape young opposition activists locked up with them, according to accounts from inside the country's jail system.</p><p>A series of dramatic letters written by prisoners and families of imprisoned activists allege that authorities are intentionally facilitating mass rape and using it as a form of punishment.</p><p>We have not found any evidence or a single victim of rape or a doctor who knew about somebody being raped.</p><p>There are some signs that confidence in the economy has dropped since the president's speech, with the value of the Syrian pound dropping on the black market according to local money changers. </p><p>Dubbed the Friday of the Fall of Legitimacy, a reference to protesters' calls on the international community to declare Assad's rule illegitimate, protests are expected across the country.</p><p>Unifo, just like many other companies active in food sector in Turkey, markets its products to many local and international customers. Recent news in world media saying that our company has sold military rations to government of Libya do not reflect the truth. Our company has not made any sales contract with Government of Libya . We manufacture millions of pouches of Ready Meals every year. As one would agree, we have no chance to know nor to trace to whom and for what end use purpose our product are resold or distributed.</p><p>Things are unravelling. There are tensions reflected by the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/22/syria-accuses-eu-meddling-imposes-sanctions">Syria foreign minister's sharp words towards Ankara</a>. </p><p>I think a public statement [from Turkey] is coming. They have set down a timeframe of a week for Syria to demonstrate some tangible changes. We are about three days into that. So watch this space next Monday or Tuesday.</p><p>It is difficult to see how he [Assad] can find a way out of this situation, given how much goodwill he needs to build and how many people question his sincerity.</p><p>If there was a buffer zone established and if the Syrian opposition was allowed to establish in that zone, that would mark a dramatic escalation in the whole crisis in Syria, and they don't want that to happen ...</p><p>Nobody has heard of any gunfire this morning [in Khirbet al-Jouz] but the Syrian manoeuvres yesterday were the closest they have got to the Turkish border. </p><p>The Syrian government has repeatedly demonstrated a disregard for the wellbeing of detained journalists, a practice that has worsened over the past three months. Damascus must immediately provide concrete evidence that Tal al-Mallohi - who shouldn't be in prison in the first place - has not been harmed in custody.</p><p>No sovereign country can be expected to tolerate violence against the government. Those individuals who stand accused have committed credible wrongdoing. They conspired with foreign terrorist organisations and attacked state police. They blocked roads, access to public facilities, destroyed property, and closed off the financial harbour which systematically brought the national economy to the edge of collapse. The government cannot and will not stand for those who call for violence and attempt to destroy the very fabric of Bahrain's society. Under our legal system each accused individual has been afforded the right to due process and a fair, transparent trial.</p><p>The cost of nightly missions by multiple aircraft will be huge. The fuel costs of the Typhoon and Tornado aircraft alone are estimated at &pound;25,000 per hour, per mission. Each mission lasts for about four hours.</p><p>I believe it's good that we have achieved after quite a difficult start some months ago real unity of purpose and political will when it comes to the vital issue of Libya. We must be patient and persistent. The time pressure is on Colonel Gaddafi and his regime; it is not on us.</p><p>We must show real support for the Transitional National Council [the Libyan rebels] … They are not extremists; they want a more democratic Libya.</p><p>It's about protecting civilian life. It's about stopping Gaddafi and his evil regime shelling, maiming and killing his civilians. The pressure on Gaddafi is growing.</p><p>We consider that he has to resign himself to leaving or accept retirement in a remote part of Libya. We have no objection to him retreating to a Libyan oasis under international control. </p><p>Libyan society is Muslim, but not fundamentalist. There is no denying the presence of radical elements; however, they represent only a small proportion, no more than 15% of the rebels, and are not, in our view, a threat.</p><p>That has to start with a genuine ceasefire under international supervision. Until the ceasefire, Gaddafi would remain in office … Then there would be a move to a transitional period … to reach an understanding about the future of Libya.</p><p>The very fact that we are here... suggests that the government is concerned that its message is not getting out... They feel they are getting a bad press and if anything the propaganda machine of the opposition is winning the hearts and minds at the moment. And they obviously want to rectify that. So we are hoping to be able speak to people from the Assad government in the next few days to bring you a picture of what their thinking is and how they are going to try to tackle this problem, because if Assad were to fall here the feeling within the region is that it could bring terrible instability. And most people still don't want that despite the protest movement in this country.</p><p>Despite reports that Nato intends to concentrate on hitting targets in Tripoli in its bid to topple the regime of Muammar Gaddafi, Nato bombardments have hit government lines around Misrata for three nights in a row. Loud detonations echo across the city accompanied by the sound of jet engines in the air.</p><p>Today there was silence from Gaddafi's front line; previously Fridays were the time for an unusually heavy bombardment of the enclave by rockets and mortars.</p><p>A senior Whitehall source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Gaddafi's movements were being monitored closely, and that the military had been able to track him &quot;racing from one place to another&quot; over recent weeks.</p><p>Nato has an array of surveillance equipment at its disposal – as well as a Nimrod plane and drones, HMS Liverpool, which is stationed off the Libyan coast, has listening systems which should enable the military to keep watch on the Libyan leader and his entourage.</p><p>Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters today he had conveyed Turkey's &quot;concerns and thoughts&quot; about the operation near Turkey's border in a telephone conversation with his Syrian counterpart on Thursday.</p><p>He said he would continue to talk to Syrian officials to ensure that &quot;reforms and peace are brought about as soon as possible&quot;. </p><p>There are reports of deaths in Homs and the Damascus suburbs of Kesweh and Barzeh. Activists say the death toll is rising and that heavy violence was used in many areas, including Barzeh, close to Damascus.</p><p>Some areas have reported being left to protest without the interference of security forces.</p><p>Friday's opposition supporters packed central Sanaa's Street Sixty to show they still wanted president Ali Abdullah Saleh to quit.<br /> <br />The number of demonstrators who had camped out in city squares all over Yemen since February dwindled after Saleh was flown to Riyadh for treatment.</p><p>&quot;We will escalate our struggle and revolution to bring down the remaining pillars of the regime and force them to leave,&quot; said Abdel-Jabbar al-Dubhani, an activist as he hurried for the traditional Friday prayers on Street Sixty. </p><p>There are serious concerns that the due process rights of the defendants, many of whom are well-known human rights defenders, were not respected and the trials appear to bear the marks of political persecution.</p><p>We call for an immediate cessation of trials of civilians in the Court of National Safety, and an immediate release of all peaceful demonstrators who were arrested in the context of the protest movement in February.</p><p>It was particularly inappropriate for Mr Gates to say that, and what is more, completely false, given what is going in Libya. There are certainly other moments in history when he could have said that, but not when Europeans have courageously taken the Libyan issue in hand, and when France and Britain, with their allies, for the most part, are doing the work …</p><p>I think his retirement may have led him to not examine the situation in Libya very closely because, whatever people want to say, I don't have the impression that the Americans are doing the bulk of the work in Libya.</p><p>The Iranian government's provision of equipment and technical advice to help suppress peaceful protests is absolutely unacceptable. Iran's actions are in stark contrast to the will of the Syrian people. They also highlight again Iran's blatant hypocrisy, claiming publicly to support freedom in the Arab world, while privately assisting in violent repression.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/24/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live">Continue reading...</a>Arab and Middle East unrestMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsSyriaBashar al-AssadLibyaMuammar GaddafiTunisiaEgyptYemenNatoProtestIranKuwaitInternational criminal courtInternational criminal justiceFri, 24 Jun 2011 08:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/24/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-liveIsopix/Rex FeaturesNicolas Sarkozy in Brussels today. Photograph: Isopix/Rex FeaturesMurad Sezer/ReutersDemonstrators set fire to an effigy of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad during a protest in Istanbul today as Syrian-Turkish tensions continued. Photograph: Murad Sezer/ReutersMurad Sezer/ReutersDemonstrators set fire to an effigy of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad during a protest in Istanbul on 24 June 2011. Photograph: Murad Sezer/ReutersMatthew Weaver and Paul Owen2011-06-24T08:01:00ZSyria, Libya and Middle East unrest - Thursday 9 June 2011http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/09/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live
• Russia will veto UK-French resolution on Syria<br />• Nato continues to bomb Tripoli<br />• Italy, France and Kuwait pledge money to anti-Gaddafi rebels<br /><br />• <strong><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/09/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live#block-28">Read a summary of today's key developments</a></strong><p><span class="timestamp">8.38am:</span> Welcome to Middle East Live: </p><p>These are the main developments: </p><p>The call reveals that not only are these armed groups trained to use weapons, commit massacres, mutilate bodies and steal military uniforms and equipment, but are also trained to participate in the media misdirection against Syria, making the satellite channels that broadcast such videos accomplices in the crimes and massacres committed by armed terrorist groups against civilians, policemen and security and army personnel.</p><p>Questions about Amina's identity are surfacing. However, we think it is possible that the writer of the blog is indeed in custody, in which case, it is important to continue to support her. Many people in Syria are forced to use alternative identities to protect themselves. However, administrators of this site cannot verify her identity.</p><p>If that should be the case - and there have been unverified but plausible appearances on YouTube by individual soldiers elsewhere saying they have deserted rather than shoot fellow citizens - it could be that Jisr al-Shughour has produced serious signs of dissension within the security forces.</p><p>On Friday, American jets killed Abu Ali al-Harithi, a mid-level Qaida operative, and several other militant suspects in a strike in southern Yemen. According to witnesses, four civilians were also killed in the air strike.</p><p>The ultimatum reflected frustration among the activists at a time when Yemen's political opposition appears increasingly fragmented by duelling visions of how to remove Saleh from power and create a new political era for this poor but strategic Middle Eastern nation.</p><p>There is a constant reference to a national dialogue, yet many of the prominent leaders of the society remain in prison today, undergoing military trials and being subjected to torture. </p><p>How is the crown prince speaking of reform when since February 14 there are more than 1,000 detainees today arrested in relation to the protests, 33 confirmed deaths due to the excessive use of force by the government (four in detention centres due to torture), more than 2,000 people fired from their jobs for expressing their opinions in what Bahrainis are calling the &quot;hunger campaign&quot;, more than 60 sentenced in military court to sentences ranging from one year to life imprisonment, two protesters sentenced to death and more than 260 students dismissed from universities? </p><p></p><p>Security and hospital officials say around 100 people have been injured after supporters of Yemen's embattled leader fired in the air to celebrate the reportedly successful surgery he underwent in Saudi Arabia.</p><p>The gunfire appeared to be a show of force by President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters.</p><p>I feel as if I hardly recognise Sana'a any more. It's a different city to the one I grew up in.</p><p>People used to be pretty relaxed here, but now everything is so tense. You cannot do anything spontaneously. We are all on edge. Drivers lose their temper really easily and fights break out for no reason. Shops used to keep their doors open for customers but now shopkeepers close them – uncertain of who to let in. </p><p>It is utterly deplorable for any government to attempt to bludgeon its population into submission, using tanks, artillery and snipers. I urge the government to halt this assault on its own people's most fundamental human rights. I urge states to keep their borders open for refugees fleeing Syria.</p><p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/08/syria-gay-girl-damascus-abduction">As we reported last night</a>, the US embassy has been unable to find anyone of her name and has not been informed by family members of any missing person matching her description.</p><p>The Guardian and other news media have checked US public records for the names given on the blog as Araf's parents (she says her mother is American), without success. </p><p></p><p></p><p>The defence ministry said the militants were killed in gun battles with government troops in the province's Doves and Kod areas but gave no more details.</p><p>Military officials in Abyan said three soldiers also were wounded as government troops advanced toward the provincial capital of Zinjibar, which was seized by militants last week. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.</p><p>From AQAP's limited use of suicide bombers to date, it would appear that AQAP does not have access to a large cadre of volunteers; similarly, the group's relatively slow pace of attacks suggests that it does not have many competent bomb-makers.</p><p>Clearly, if Ibrahim al-Asiri, AQAP's master bomb-maker, can be removed from the picture, much of the special operations group's capability will be lost ... </p><p>We hope that as many countries will follow this path because we need to provide the [National Transitional Council] as soon as possible with financial help … [The rebels] don't need help in six months because at the end of the day, Libya is a rich country … When oil production starts, they won't need this help. They need this help now. We hope that our example will be followed by other countries of the contact group [on Libya].</p><p></p><p>The Ahmar sons' best bet is that the Saudis back them in some form. Here they have one thing going for them: Unlike the Americans, the Saudis are not particularly keen on Yemen's republican constitution, multiparty system, and elections. The Saudis would just as likely support a stable strongman if the Ahmars can convince the Saudis that they can deliver. It will be a hard sell, given that they did not deliver for the Saudis in the war on the Houthis. With the Americans now seemingly convinced that broad-based democracy in Yemen is the best way forward, the Saudis will at least have to wait for another time to prop up a strongman.</p><p>What of the Salehs? After all, they are still in command of the elite military and security forces, and Ahmed Saleh has reportedly locked himself in the presidential palace, refusing to let the interim president in. But President Saleh is gone, and he is probably not coming back without signing an agreement to step aside. That means the Saleh clan is in a more tenuous situation than before. </p><p></p><p></p><p>It's increasingly clear that people think that the only way out of this is that Gaddafi has to go, that he will go one way or the other. Now, to even mention this before the war would have been to invite a very long and horrible stay in prison, and in the early days of the conflict people would not have been talking about this kind of thing … When people are out of earshot of anyone else they are saying, &quot;Look, we are just waiting … We want him to go.&quot; They certainly aren't expressing any great anger about the Nato bombing. There seems to be a sense of inevitability about it all … It seems like people are waiting for the end.</p><p>Abu Ali al-Harithi, &quot;described as one of the most dangerous al-Qaida commanders in Shabwa province,&quot; has been killed in Yemeni security operations, state-run TV reported on Thursday, citing an official military source. The New York Times reported on Thursday that American jets killed him in an air strike last Friday.</p><p> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/09/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live">Continue reading...</a>Middle East and North AfricaArab and Middle East unrestWorld newsLibyaMuammar GaddafiSyriaBashar al-AssadNatoInternational criminal courtYemenBahrainInternational criminal justiceThu, 09 Jun 2011 07:47:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/09/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-livepublic domainLebanon Daily Star Gaddafi cartoonMustafa Ozer/AFP/Getty ImagesSyrian refugees wait to enter Turkey at the border with Syria on Wednesday near the Turkish city of Hatay. Getty Images/Mustafa OzerMustafa Ozer/AFP/Getty ImagesSyrian refugees wait to enter Turkey at the border with Syria on Wednesday near the Turkish city of Hatay. Getty Images/Mustafa OzerMatthew Weaver and Paul Owen2011-06-09T07:47:00ZNakba aftermath and Middle East unrest - Monday 16 May 2011http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/may/16/nakba-syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live-updates
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/may/16/nakba-syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live-updates#block-10">• ICC prosecutor names Gaddafi as wanted for war crimes</a><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/may/16/nakba-syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live-updates#block-17">• Syrian soldiers face execution if deported from Lebanon</a><br /><a href="http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=220737">• Israel tells neighbours to stop border breaches</a><p><span class="timestamp">8.35am:</span> Welcome to Middle East Live a day after the Arab Spring spread to Israel's borders. </p><p>YouTube footage from yesterday shows hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters massing at a border crossing with Syria in the Golan Heights.</p><p>How much longer will Palestinians allow themselves to be captives to extremism and intransigence, and pawns to rogue states such as Syria? The only path to their independence lies through reconciliation with the State of Israel.</p><p>For the first time in his 11-year reign, Mr Assad demonstrated to Israel, the region and world that in an uprising that has posed the greatest threat to his family's four decades of rule, he could provoke war to stay in power.</p><p><a href="http://damascusgaygirl.blogspot.com/2011/05/nakba-day-2011.html">This is not a way to distract the Syrian people but a sign of the future</a>. Mubarak is gone, Assad is going … all your old confidences are failing. The police states that held Palestinians back from going home are heading to the ash-heap and the people are coming in to their own.</p><p>By playing the Israel card, the Assads are trying to prey on the fears and concerns of their neighbours, especially Israel and its international allies. Previously, such manipulation had served to undermine efforts by Syria's opposition groups to project themselves as a viable alternative capable of holding the country together and securing its borders. By talking about armed Salafist gangs and showing a willingness to be foolhardy enough to allow for border crossing by &quot;radicals&quot;, the Assads are saying that only they can secure the borders. The question before us in this connection: Is Israel, and the world, in the mood to be fooled again?</p><p><br />I voluntarily and willingly came to the Air Force Security Service branch to declare that:<br />........ and I now would like to take advantage of the aforementioned announcement within the defined legal delay, and I pledge, while in my sane mind legally and religiously, that I will not participate or invite people to demonstrations and anarchic activities. And I also pledge to inform the security service about terrorist, anarchists, and hate inciters, their whereabouts, and the location of their weapons. and I am ready to bear the full legal responsibility in case I break my pledge. I here by sign:</p><p>They are obsessed with the protests. They just want them to stop and are willing to do anything to make them stop. Those refusing to sign the undertakings get referred to criminal trials for inciting riots or risk seeing security forces showing up at their home, office, or even their spouse's office.</p><p>Non-violent peaceful Palestinian protesters were being met with force by Israeli security forces in a very similar way to scenes we have already witnessed in places like Tunisia, Egypt and other countries in the Middle East. There is a basic link in the sense that people who have risen up in the Middle East are demanding basic rights that they are denied. The Nakba day protests have had a greater energy because, across the region, there has been a liberation of the imagination in terms of what Arab people is possible.</p><p>As soon as the demonstration got close to the checkpoint, the Israeli army opened tear gas fire from rooftops and from the checkpoint. Scores were injured from tear gas inhalation with some suffering from seizures according to local medical personal on the scene. Despite the attacks, demonstrators regrouped and, for over five hours, attempted to walk peacefully to Jerusalem.</p><p>Clashes broke out between stone throwing Palestinian youth and Israeli soldiers after the first hour of protest. These clashes resulted in several incursions by Israeli soldiers resulting in the arrest of four arrests of minors. The arrests were made by soldiers with the assistance of undercover Israeli police dressed as protesters. Protesters also attempted to upend on section of the eight meter high concrete wall that comprises the Qalandiay checkpoint. They were not successful.</p><p>According to medical staff on the scene, over 100 people were injured from tear gas with scores going into shock or seizure from the highly potent strain of gas that the Israeli army used in the demonstrations. Twenty people were transferred to Ramallah hospital with medium to serious wounds including one minor who was shot in the face with a rubber coated bullet. </p><p>During the last week, the office of the orosecutor received several calls from high level officials in Gadaffi's regime willing to provide information. The office believes evidence collected goes well beyond the standard of evidence required by the Rome statute. The prosecutor said: &quot;We received a mandate to investigate crimes committed in Libya, and we did it in two and a half month. The Office collected good and solid evidence to identify who bear the greatest responsibility; no political responsibilities but rather individual criminal responsibilities for crimes committed in Libya. We are almost ready for trial.&quot;</p><p>The prosecutor's announcement is a warning bell to others in Libya that serious crimes there will be punished. While it's up to the judges to weigh the evidence and decide, the request for an arrest warrant for Muammar Gaddafi is a remarkable development for victims in Libya, the ICC and justice more broadly.</p><p>Presenting his request for arrest warrants to the ICC, the chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, said the three operated as an &quot;inner circle&quot;, orchestrating the killing of peaceful protesters, with Saif al-Islam operating as a &quot;de facto prime minister&quot;.</p><p><br />The request for these warrants is a reminder to all in Gaddafi's regime that crimes will not go unpunished and the reach of international justice will be long.<br />&nbsp;<br />Those responsible for attacks on civilians must be held to account. The international community must fully support the ICC in thoroughly investigating all allegations. I call on all UN Member States, whether parties to the Rome Statute or not, to offer their full co-operation.</p><p>In the event of a warrant being issued they don't think it is going to stop Colonel Gaddafi moving around Africa or the Middle East. They cite as an example Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese president who was indicted by the international criminal court in July 2008 and has since been allowed to travel to African states. They are trying to downplay this as something they don't recognise and is unlikely to be enforced.</p><p>There has been a significant loss of trust in Saif, who was once positioned as a possible reformer. He isn't seen now as somebody who is an honest broker or someone who could perhaps replace his father and re-engage with Europe, he is seen someone who is part and parcel of the regime.</p><p>&quot;We believe that the ICC has no jurisdiction on these issues,&quot; Khiam said. &quot;We see the international Criminal Court as targeting African states. Our interest is not in this body, but in the Human Rights Council. We are moving forward trying to establish a ceasefire.&quot;</p><p>Gaddafi has been maintaining a low profile for the past fortnight. He believes that Nato jets are personally targeting him and is trying to create a perception that other bodies, such as Libyan tribal leaders, are now effectively running the country with him staying in the background as an overlord figure.</p><p>The Syrian regime has a long history of manipulating the regional arena for its survival ... We should note those young people on the border with the Golan heights would not have be able to access the area unless the Syrian regime allowed it.</p><p>Inside [Syria] the killing is still going on, the army is still in the streets, the security forces are still detaining people.</p><p>The case against the Libyans, the prosecutor's office says, is its strongest yet. One count of persecution, one count of murder constituting a crime against humanity (which means it occurred in the context of a systematic or widespread attack on civilians—in this case, it's allegedly both). The evidence-collection process sounds like a movie plot: The court collaborated with INTERPOL, which provided immigration lists of Libyans who'd arrived in other countries. The ICC tried to determine, based on the timing of the immigrants' arrival, which ones might have fled for war-crimes-related reasons. Then ICC investigators were dispatched around the world to track those people down and interview them.</p><p>Some of the 51 witnesses cited in the Libya indictment didn't have to be tracked down. Some of them, insiders with direct knowledge of the crimes, tracked the ICC down after Ocampo briefed the Security Council on his plan to request warrants. This is the kind of pressure Ocampo and his office hope will continue building once the warrants are out. &quot;Maybe I'm dreaming,&quot; he said yesterday, but ideally the specter of ICC prosecution will lead to more defections, and eventually a collapse of the regime and/or arrest of the bad guys.</p><p>Yesterday Syrian refugees attempting to cross the border into Lebanon at a checkpoint in Wadi Khaled were ambushed and shot at by the Shabiha, an armed gang loyal to the Assad regime.</p><p>Four Syrian soldiers manning the checkpoint, who are believed to be on military service, attempted to protect the refugees and shot back at the Shabiha.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/may/16/nakba-syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live-updates">Continue reading...</a>Arab and Middle East unrestMiddle East and North AfricaSyriaBashar al-AssadLibyaMuammar GaddafiIsraelPalestinian territoriesWorld newsInternational criminal courtInternational criminal justiceMon, 16 May 2011 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/may/16/nakba-syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live-updatesAli Hashisho/ReutersA wounded Palestinian protester keeps low amongst fellow demonstrators during clashes with Israeli soldiers in Maroun al-Ras near the Israeli border in south Lebanon. Photograph: Ali Hashisho/ReutersAli Hashisho/ReutersA wounded Palestinian protester keeps low amongst fellow demonstrators during clashes with Israeli soldiers in Maroun al-Ras near the Israeli border in south Lebanon. Photograph: Ali Hashisho/ReutersMatthew Weaver2011-05-16T08:00:00ZLibya, Syria and Middle East unrest - Thursday 5 May 2011http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2011/may/05/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest-live
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/may/05/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest-live#block-8">• Syria arrests hundreds to prevent Damascus demo</a><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/may/05/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest-live#block-2">• Clinton backs EU sanctions against Syria </a><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/may/05/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest-live#block-9">• Britain expels two more Libyan diplomats</a><p><span class="timestamp">8.24am:</span> Welcome to another day of live coverage of the unrest in the Middle East. <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gwZy7BhJWTZUDHUWJKSM9V4ciT0g?docId=CNG.603c16ef2a5f47f8b3a014c30fb01592.111">Ministers are gathering in Rome to discuss plans to fund the Libyan</a> rebels and protests and arrests continue in Syria.</p><p>Here's a round-up of the latest developments:</p><p>Governments that set their face against reform altogether – as Libya has done and Syria is beginning to do – are doomed to failure. Simply refusing to address legitimate grievances or attempting to stamp them out will fail. The idea of freedom cannot be confined behind bars, however strong the lock. </p><p>In Syria, we are mustering international diplomatic action to pressure President Assad to stop the killing and repression to take the path of genuine reform. I have instructed our diplomats to begin discussions with our partners at the UN in New York to seek UN condemnation of the situation in Syria. And we are working this week on EU sanctions on those responsible for the violence.</p><p>An official military source stated ''The army and the armed forces' units press ahead with their mission in Daraa [Deraa], which nears completion after fulfilling most of its goals.''</p><p>''The remaining armed terrorist members who terrorized people and left behind panic, destruction and killing in all neighbourhoods were pursued,'' the source said.</p><p>Soldiers from the army's 4th division are being used for the raids around Damascus. People are being taken to army bases on edge of Damascus and then transferred to the intelligence service. </p><p>I didn't go home Monday night; I stayed at a friend's house. Yesterday, I went home for a bit. As I got close to the house, I saw that there were two of them outside the front door.<br />There's more than one way into my house and some are pretty well hidden. Not even all the family knows all of them. I used one of those and got inside. I could see that they had indeed been there...</p><p>I washed up, packed a bag with a few changes of clothes, spare contacts and solution, and so on. Loaded that in with my laptop after briefly checking on line. Took the sim card from my phone and left it...</p><p>The Damascus suburbs have been raided by security forces during the night. We have names of 308 people that were kidnapped during the raids at night [in Saqba]. We collected the names from community leaders and activists. We fear that the number is much bigger.</p><p>When the houses were raided they were raided by military and security personnel. They didn't give prior notice they just broke down doors. The campaign is systematic and it has two targets: one is to detain activists and the other is to spread fear.</p><p>The meeting of the Libyan Contact Group at the Italian foreign ministry on Thursday is expected to seek ways to give financial support to the rebels, who have indicated they need $1.5 billion in the coming months.</p><p>The meeting of 22-nations involved in Nato's Libya campaign also includes the Nato chief, the Arab League, the leader of Libya's opposition council, and the leader of Libya's opposition council, Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, who used to be Gaddafi's justice minister.</p><p>Panic then ensued, and many of the stranded workers tried to make their way on to the ship, which was forced to depart the harbour prematurely as a result. Many of the wounded were just arriving in ambulances as the ship took off. The IOM ship has been the most consistent and reliable link between Benghazi and Misrata, and this botched mission will impact on humanitarian access to Misrata.</p><p><br />In the vicinity of Tripoli: 2 Ammunition Storages, 1 Bunker and 1 Surface to Air location. In the vicinity of Misurata: 1 Pick-up truck, 3 Tanks, 2 Mobile Rocket Launcher, 3 Armoured Vehicles. In the vicinity of Ajdabiya 1 Mobile Rocket Launcher. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2011/may/05/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest-live">Continue reading...</a>LibyaSyriaArab and Middle East unrestMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsMuammar GaddafiBashar al-AssadInternational criminal courtWar crimesProtestBahrainAfricaInternational criminal justiceThu, 05 May 2011 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2011/may/05/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest-liveStr/APSyrian men hold up pieces of bread as they protest in Banias on 4 May 2011 in solidarity with compatriots in besieged Deraa. Photograph: Str/APStr/APSyrian men hold up pieces of bread as they protest in Banias on 4 May 2011 in solidarity with compatriots in besieged Deraa. Photograph: Str/APMatthew Weaver2011-05-05T08:00:00ZLibya, Syria and Middle East unrest - Wednesday 4 May 2011http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2011/may/04/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest-live
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/04/libyan-leaders-face-arrest-war-crimes">• ICC: Libya committed war crimes as a 'matter of policy'</a><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/may/04/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest-live#block-5">• Migrant rescue ship docks in Misrata</a><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/03/switzerland-identifies-1bn-dictators-assets">• Swiss freeze £253m of Libyan leadership's assets</a><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/03/syria-troops-retake-banias">• Syrian troops claim coastal city of Banias from protesters</a><p><span class="timestamp">8.41am:</span> After a brief interlude for events in Abbottabad welcome back to our live coverage of the unrest in north Africa and the Middle East.</p><p>There are a number of developing stories in both Libya and Syria that we will keep track of today. Here's a brief run down of the latest news:<br /><strong><a href="http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFLDE7422CE20110503"><br />• A car bomb has exploded in the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi. </a></strong> Abdel-Fattah Younis, the general in charge of Libya's rebel forces said a car bomb exploded in front of their headquarters. No injuries were reported.</p><p>Misrata port remains effectively closed because of the mining of the port. One seamine remains missing, so commercially chartered boats cannot find insurance to enter the port. UNICEF, WFP, ICRC and IOM boats all on standby. Last boat to leave the port was ICRC ship on 26th of April. Serious problem for humanitarian and medical delivery, and for journalists trying to get in and out.</p><p>Al Watan, a Syrian newspaper close to the government, reports that President Bashar al-Assad said that the army will end its operations in the southern province of Deraa &quot;very soon&quot;.</p><p>The paper reports the comments were made yesterday as Assad spoke to a group of communities from the north-eastern provinces. </p><p>The port is the last line for the city, so having the port effectively shut was a really big deal. It looks like it is starting to open up, which is really good news.</p><p>The ferry the Red Star, came in half an hour or 45 minutes ago, after communication problems between the ship, the port captain, and Nato appear to have been cleared up. It is now being unloaded - you might be able to hear it the background, and very soon about 850 desperate African migrants are going to start boarding the ship.</p><p>The Syrian military is largely composed of citizens fulfilling their obligatory service requirement. Several incidents have occurred in which soldiers have refused orders to open fire on unarmed protesters in Banias, Deraa, and Harasta, a city near Damascus. </p><p>In fact, contrary to the popular belief that the Syrian army is staunchly loyal to Assad - unlike the Egyptian or Tunisian armies during their countries' respective crises - it may be the regime element most likely to join the uprising. Although many high-ranking military officers are Alawite, the majority of their divisions are not. Should the soldiers in those divisions begin to mutiny, they could compel their commanders to rebel against Assad. The Alawite army leaders may also fear a backlash and revenge attacks against Alawite sects due to Assad's policies.</p><p>&quot;Al-Jamry represents much of what is good about Bahrain since King Hamad launched his reform effort. Having spent years in London in exile, he returned and set up a newspaper that is contributing to the more open discourse that one finds in Bahrain these days. He believes passionately in reform, and is willing to take risks... But he recognizes the complexities of moving the reform process forward in Bahrain - both because of the dynamics within the Royal Family and within the opposition Shia community. He acknowledged to the Ambassador that at times he gets frustrated and is tempted to return to the comfortable life he had in London. If he did, it would be a real loss for Bahrain. </p><p>Two men who were detained last month in the coastal city of Banias told Amnesty International that Syrian security forces had used rifle butts to hit them and many other detainees on the neck and collarbone.</p><p>One detainee said that after being stripped and beaten he was made to lick his blood off the floor. According to him, he and others detained with him had been beaten with sticks and cables as well as kicked and punched. Held without food for three days in overcrowded conditions in one detention centre, he said they had to resort to drinking dirty water from a toilet.</p><p>The ship had been waiting to enter the port since 30 April. Ongoing military activity by Gaddafi troops meant that it was forced to sit out at sea for five days, in an unacceptable delay to critical, life-saving assistance... We are extremely concerned that ongoing fighting in Misrata risks preventing other humanitarian ships from docking. The Gaddafi regime continues to shell the port area, and the security situation is made worse by mines they have laid in the water.</p><p>For now, similar to their stance during the last Iranian uprisings, Hezbollah leadership remains firmly in support of its ally, the Syrian president. It is unlikely that in the near future, we will see Sayyed Nasrallah address the crowds in the Lebanese southern suburbs in support of the Syrian popular uprisings as he did on March 19 when he declared that the Arab popular revolutions will succeed. Yet has Hezbollah begun making contingency plans for the possible overthrow of Assad? One Hezbollah official denied it because, as he put it, the topic is so sensitive and doing so might be perceived as an act of betrayal of a long-standing ally. However, if Hezbollah behaves true to form, contingency planning must be quietly underway. </p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2011/may/04/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest-live">Continue reading...</a>Arab and Middle East unrestLibyaInternational criminal courtSyriaProtestMuammar GaddafiBashar al-AssadMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsAfricaInternational criminal justiceWed, 04 May 2011 08:21:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2011/may/04/libya-syria-middle-east-unrest-liveReutersSecurity forces detain people in Deraa. Photograph: ReutersSaeed Khan/AFP/Getty ImagesLibyan rebels gather around the remains of car which exploded near the headquarters of Libya's rebels in Benghazi. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty ImagesSaeed Khan/AFP/Getty ImagesLibyan rebels gather around the remains of car which exploded near the headquarters of Libya's rebels in Benghazi. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty ImagesMatthew Weaver and Mark Tran2011-05-04T08:21:00ZUshahidi: crowdmapping collective that exposed Kenyan election killingshttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2011/apr/07/ushahidi-crowdmap-kenya-violence-hague
How coders built a platform for justice and accountability using mobile phones, text messages and a Google map<p>Three Kenyans – Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, Francis Kirimi Muthaura and Mohammed Hussein Ali – are appearing at the international criminal court in the Hague charged with crimes against humanity. They are accused of contributing to an estimated 1,300 deaths in violence following the 2007 presidential election when they were deputy prime minister, head of the civil service and police commissioner respectively.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2011/apr/07/ushahidi-crowdmap-kenya-violence-hague">Continue reading...</a>KenyaInternational criminal courtInternational criminal justiceLawWorld newsThu, 07 Apr 2011 06:06:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2011/apr/07/ushahidi-crowdmap-kenya-violence-hagueBloomberg via Getty ImagesOry Okolloh, the founder and executive director of Ushahidi, which crowdmapped the post-election violence in Kenya. Photograph: Bloomberg via Getty ImagesBloomberg via Getty ImagesOry Okolloh, the founder and executive director of Ushahidi, which crowdmapped the post-election violence in Kenya Photograph: Bloomberg via Getty ImagesSimon Jeffery2011-04-07T06:06:37ZInternational criminal court's credibility is on line over moves to indict Omar al-Bashirhttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/feb/20/sudan
<p>Pursuing former heads of states for alleged war crimes is tough enough, but going after a sitting head of state is really asking for trouble, as the international criminal court is finding out.</p><p>In the next few weeks, the ICC is expected to issue an arrest warrant for Omar al-Bashir, the president of Sudan, for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Darfur. Even the very idea of such a move - the first of its kind - has <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/16/sudan-war-crimes-split-international-community" title="">polarised</a> the diplomatic community.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/feb/20/sudan">Continue reading...</a>World newsSudanDarfurInternational criminal courtLawInternational criminal justiceOmar al-BashirAfricaFri, 20 Feb 2009 14:06:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/feb/20/sudanMark Tran2009-02-20T14:06:00ZMore time for Bashir as Hague warrant loomshttp://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2009/feb/12/bashir-faces-hague-warrant
Reports of international criminal court war crimes charges may be premature, but Sudan's president has reason to be concerned<p>&quot;No arrest warrant has been issued for President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan. Absolutely not,&quot; said Sonia Robla, a spokeswoman for the international criminal court in The Hague.</p><p>Robla's categorical statement followed reports in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/world/africa/12hague.html?_r=1&amp;hp" title="">New York Times</a> and the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/11/AR2009021103951.html" title="">Washington Post</a> that the court's pretrial judges have decided to issue a warrant for Bashir's arrest on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Sudan's western Darfur region.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2009/feb/12/bashir-faces-hague-warrant">Continue reading...</a>World newsSudanInternational criminal courtLawInternational criminal justiceAfricaThu, 12 Feb 2009 16:49:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2009/feb/12/bashir-faces-hague-warrantMark Tran2009-02-12T16:49:00ZKaradzic's trial is a test of strength for the war crimes tribunalhttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2008/jul/31/howtostopkaradzicstrialbe1
Radovan Karadzic made it clear today he's not about the make life easy at his war crimes trial. Do we face the prospect of another Milosevic-style circus?<p>Unlike <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1830203.stm">Slobodan Milosevic</a> he didn't openly mock the court or dispute its very validity. On occasions he even looked almost nervous, his mouth chewing silently and eyes darting from side to side.</p><p>But one thing was clear from <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/31/radovankaradzic.serbia">Radovan Karadzic's first appearance</a> on war crimes charges at The Hague - he is not about to make things easy for prosecutors.</p><p>On two occasions, the court refused to allow Karadzic to go off on historical tangents. The court sent a clear signal today that Karadzic would not be allowed to take control of proceedings.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2008/jul/31/howtostopkaradzicstrialbe1">Continue reading...</a>World newsRadovan KaradzicSerbiaWar crimesLawInternational criminal justiceEuropeThu, 31 Jul 2008 17:27:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2008/jul/31/howtostopkaradzicstrialbe1Peter Walker2008-07-31T17:27:00Z